Essex University celebrates 50 years with events and scholarships

The University of Essex is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a string of public events, an exhibition and student scholarships.

The university, founded in 1964, is holding a Homecoming Weekend for staff, students and alumni on September 12 to 14 at its Colchester campus to mark its first half-century. The event will be followed by a range of public lectures and school activities.

The university is also marking the anniversary by offering students from the county of Essex starting a self-funded postgraduate research or Masters degree in October this year a 25 per cent fee discount worth from £1,000 to £4,000.

The scholarships aim to acknowledge the contributions of Essex residents and businesses, who helped to raise more than £1 million to establish the university.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Jules Pretty said: "The people of Essex gave generously to the Appeal Fund which helped establish the University in 1964, now we would like to give something back.”

The university is ranked ninth in the UK for research quality, and has around 11,000 students.